Lauralea tagged me as part of a meme. The question being asked is, “How would you define simple faith in Christ?”

So I am going to have a go at answering this. It took some time for me to answer this. I appreciate the question – made me sit and think and that is good for me. So here goes.

Simple Faith

It is hard to know what anyone understands by “simple faith.”Is this just another way of simply saying “faith?”Because when I begin to think about what faith means for me, it can become quite complicated.
Sometimes faith is so straightforward that it is simple.I believe.I have faith that God is.I have faith that God loves me.A bit like a child who trusts a parent.And then as I think on that fact it suddenly becomes fairly overwhelming and unexplainable.

I think that simple faith only looks simple to those on the outside. They don’t see the struggles that people of faith have and continue to work through.My faith gives me the ability to trust in the truth of God’s existence, his presence in the universe and his benevolence towards me and all human kind even though it is beyond the grasp of my intellect.There is factual evidence that points me towards God but that does not prove God in the scientific way of proving a fact.Doubts may come but when they do I am reminded, “Where else is there to turn?”I won’t find what I need within myself (I know myself too well) or in political and economic systems (they are full of flaws).When life falls apart for me – or the world – God remains for me the only true thing that is good.There is nothing better and no where else to turn.

My faith is also sustained by the testimony of his people throughout history, the vastness and complexity of nature, and the life changing effects faith in God has on people, including the way that God continues to act in my own story as I live it out.

It is this experience of God acting in my life that has really solidified my faith.In some way, beyond explanation, beyond words, God is present with me, communicates with me and empowers me to live out a life of trying to follow the teachings of Jesus.My experience is that God is real, present and interested in what goes on in my life and the world.

That might sound simple and childish.I guess that is simple faith.I haven’t found anything better in all the world.

And part of a meme is always tagging someone else. Not sure I will tag four or five but how about Dixie, Toni, and Sharon K?